Okay so im going to be joining a MT school tomorrow (yeah), and I went in today to watch a class. After I had some Q and A with an instructor, and he told me a few shocking things.

-MT tournies are now legal in Ontario, but 3 levels exist. Each level has different equip requirements...the lowest has full gear (head, body, shin), and the last has no gear but the head.

-Regardless of where in Canada you have a sanctioned MT fight, no elbows of any type are allowed. You can clinch and knee till the cows come home, but gawd forbid you toss around an elbow.

I was quite shocked with this because that is one of the core strikes in MT. What do other MT canuks think of this? Is it the same in the US?

Will this lead to MT fighters that cant compete with MT fighters from other countries that allow elbows?????

5/23/2006 11:22pm,

Torakaka

It's the same in the US, though I think California has legalised elbows and knees to the head for their muay thai comps. Lack of elbows isn't "bullshido" but it isn't muay thai. Usually the promoters will call it "modified muay thai".

5/24/2006 12:06am,

HANKtheTANK

which gym are u going to join?
there have been plenty of new schools starting up since it had been 'sanctioned'

(you'd figure elbows would be allowed by now with the surge of MMA ands legal use of elbows, especially the ground and pound using elbows, which would probably seem a lot more devastating to the average fan out there) - its only a matter of time i hope

5/24/2006 12:23am,

Red Rocket

Lots of strange laws out there. I agree, not Bullshido, but not cool either.

5/24/2006 1:27am,

Dagon Akujin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rocket

Lots of strange laws out there. I agree, not Bullshido, but not cool either.

In Clawson MI (where I grew up): it is legal for a man to "sleep with his pigs, cows, horses, goats, and chickens."

In Rochester (where my girlfriend works): the law states that anyone appearing in public in a bathing suit must have it inspected by a police officer.

And in Detroit (where I train): it is illegal for alligators to be tied to fire hydrants (I'll have to remind my sifu of that one).

Dagon :google:

5/24/2006 4:44am,

Mneme

In Sweden it's not exactly regulated but they made four classes of it.

A The whole package, elbows, knees to the head
B No elbows
C No elbows, knees to the head
D No elbows, knees to the head, protective gear and no full contact (for beginners).

Most of the matches that are arranged are C-class matches. So what can you say...

5/24/2006 5:27am,

BoardHitBack

No elbows...where's the fun in that?

jesus guys, come and fight in england.

One caveat tho- no spinning backfist. Sorry, but they are stupid and this is a civilised country.

5/24/2006 5:27am,

BlackStalyon

Ive been to a muay thai comp here in Brooklyn, they also for some reason didn't allow knees to the head and elbow strikes.

5/24/2006 6:13am,

Shuma-Gorath

The athletics commission here has a number of things wrong with it. Legal MMA is being held up by a leg kick rule or something equally useless.

5/24/2006 7:58am,

octaviousbp

Hey Jaric,

You might have misunderstood the instructor. Elbows are illegal in Ontario, except for "A" Class fights. They wear elbow pads, but are indeed legal. Each province has their own sanctioning rules. Ours in Ontario are governed by CAMTAO. I know Alberta allows elbows for "A" class fights as well. To the best of my knowledge, knees to the head are illegal across the country, but I can only speak for Ontario.